Leicester earn an emotional win as Arsenal draw with Liverpool

Leicester City willed their way to an emotional win in the English Premier League.

Leicester City players and staff hold a banner showing chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha holding the Premier League trophy. Picture: AFP

Leicester City willed their way to an emotional win in the English Premier League while Arsenal extended their unbeaten run with a late draw.

Demarai Gray’s goal gave Leicester a 1-0 win at Cardiff on Saturday night (AEDT) in their first game since owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha died in a helicopter crash. Arsenal made it 14 games straight unbeaten by drawing 1-1 with Liverpool off Alexandre Lacazette’s 82nd-minute equaliser.

Though the draw moved unbeaten Liverpool top of the table, they were left to rue dropped points.

“It’s disappointing, when you are 1-0 up late on you should see it out and we didn’t manage to do that,” James Milner, who scored Liverpool’s opener, said. Soccer was an afterthought for Leicester, who were playing just seven days after popular owner Vichai was among five people killed when his helicopter crashed.

“It’s been a really tough week for everyone,” goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel said. “It has been an emotional day and we’re glad we got three points for him.”

A minute’s silence was held before the game, which then turned into a tense affair that was settled in the 55th minute by Gray’s goal.

The win brought a little joy to what the Foxes declared the toughest week in club history.

“It was tough to prepare this game, important to find the good balance between emotion and concentration for this game,” said manager Claude Puel, whose team was to fly to Thailand for Vichai’s funeral.

Meanwhile, after combining for 27 goals in their last five meetings, Arsenal and Liverpool could manage only one apiece at the Emirates Stadium. The goalkeepers played a part in the goals. Arsenal’s Bernd Leno pushed a cross out for Milner to fire home and Lacazette beat Reds keeper Alisson to the ball before equalising.

“We felt we had the quality to play (against) the top of the league tonight,” said Lacazette.

Gunners coach Unai Emery said Arsenal were far from the finished article and cited Liverpool’s gradual improvement in three years under Jurgen Klopp as an example to follow.

“It is not a bad point but we need more,” he said. “They can win the Premier League this season. They play the final of the Europa League three years ago and last season they were in the final of the Champions League — they are a very good example for us.”

Emery’s rapid progress suggests Arsenal are well-placed to challenge for a return to the Champions League next season after finishing 12 points off the top four in Arsene Wenger’s final campaign.

Arsenal dropped a place in the table to fifth as Tottenham held on for a 3-2 win at Wolverhampton to go above the Gunners and draw level on points with third-placed Chelsea. Goals from Erik Lamela and Harry Kane put Spurs 3-0 up before penalties from Ruben Neves and Raul Jimenez gave Wolves hope.

Marcus Rashford scored a stoppage-time winner as Manchester United came from behind to win 2-1 at Bournemouth.

Manager Jose Mourinho is struggling to understand why his team have developed a habit of starting games slowly, and acknowledged United could have been three or four goals behind by halftime at Dean Court.

“I would like to answer that but it is hard for me to answer,” he said.

“It looked like we don’t work tactically during the week, which obviously is the worst feeling for me as we work so much that I expect my team to be really good. And I feel really frustrated with that.

“The good thing is that the team has this face of fantastic character and has heart that the game is never over and they go until the end.”

United started poorly and deservedly trailed through Callum Wilson’s early goal before ­Anthony Martial equalised before the break.

Second-half substitute Rashford then won it from close range in the 92nd minute.

Richarlison scored twice to lead Everton past Brighton 3-1; Felipe Anderson’s second-half double helped West Ham beat Burnley 4-2; and Newcastle United beat Watford 1-0 for their first win and moved out of the relegation zone ahead of Cardiff.

Agencies